Messenger of the Lord

Shortest Testimony

The shortest testimony Ellen White ever gave was a telegram received by M. N. Campbell, pastor of the Battle Creek church (Tabernacle), during the 1906-1907 struggle over the ownership of the Tabernacle. The Sanitarium group was determined to secure the property. Most of the church trustees were inclined to support the Sanitarium group’s wishes. MOL 153.1

But the young pastor, equally determined that the property would remain in denominational hands, called together a few of the leading members for special prayer before the last, and most crucial, meeting. Campbell recorded the event: MOL 153.2

“They were all good, faithful men but I don’t know that I ever saw a set of men more scared. Old Brother Amadon, ¹⁴ one of the finest Christians that ever lived, moaned, ‘If only Sister White were here, if only Sister White were here.’” MOL 153.3

Everyone knew that Ellen White was in California, but Amadon continued, “Oh, if only Sister White were here.” MOL 153.4

A few minutes later, ten minutes before the opening of the tense meeting, a telegram arrived for Campbell. It contained this message: “Philippians 1:27, 28. (Signed) Ellen G. White.” MOL 153.5

That text and her intended message braced the men for what had to be done. Campbell wrote: “That settled the question. That was a communication from Sister White that we needed right at that moment. God knew we were holding that meeting, and that we had a group of scared men, and that we needed help from Him, and so He gave us the message that came straight to us in the nick of time. It sounded pretty good to us.” ¹⁵ MOL 153.6

At times, Ellen White would plead with individuals prior to a serious and life-changing decision, warning them of their own impending crisis. Her concern for her long-time friend, D. M. Canright, while he was going through his final defection, is one example of many. MOL 153.7

Canright had asked that his name be dropped from the church books in Otsego, Michigan—a request that was granted on February 17, 1887. ¹⁶ MOL 153.8

Although in Europe, Ellen White was not surprised at these sad developments. In vision she had seen Canright going through “rough waters.” She pleaded with him to “Wait, and God will help you. Be patient, and the clear light will appear. If you yield to impressions you will lose your soul....” This letter was later printed in Testimonies for the Church 5:571-573, with “Brother M” referring to Canright. But Canright did not wait, and Mrs. White’s prediction that his “sun will surely set in obscurity” was tragically fulfilled. ¹⁷ MOL 153.9

In 1900 Daniel H. Kress, an Adventist physician, was appointed to head up the medical work in Australia. He zealously advocated dispensing with all animal products. But in his frequent travels at the turn of the century he found it difficult to get suitable foods for a balanced diet. As a result, he developed pernicious anemia at the age of forty. When Ellen White saw him in vision, he was at death’s door. MOL 153.10

In her usual straightforward manner she instructed him to “make changes, and at once. Put into your diet something you have left out.... Get eggs of healthy fowls. Use these eggs cooked or raw. Drop them uncooked into the best unfermented wine [grape juice] you can find. This will supply that which is necessary to your system.” ¹⁸ MOL 153.11

Her counsel, prompted by the vision regarding Kress’s dire physical condition, was exactly what the ill physician needed. He fully recovered, and lived fifty-two years longer in a life of medical service and administration. ¹⁹ MOL 153.12